It gives the Life Membership Committee great pleasure to announce that the following people have been nominated by their peers and been successful in achieving Life Membership of SLANZA in 2014. These awards were announced at the Annual General Meeting 2014, held in Dunedin at the Weekend School.

Life membership is awarded to people who have contributed greatly over a number of years to our organisation. They have gone well above and beyond, they have given of their time and energy over many years for the betterment of our org and all of the people nominated this year have been stalwarts of the organisation since it’s inception.

It is a hard thing making choices between such worthy nominees but after a great deal of deliberation the following people are being recognised for their contribution and awarded Life Membership in 2014.

Jenny MillarJenny has been with SLANZA from the very beginning. She was on the steering committee for SLANZA for the year before it’s inception. Prior to that she was heavily involved in the School Library Network, she was the first Otago/Southland representative for SLANZA and her foresight and vision, amongst the others on that committee have formed and shaped what we have become. She continued in this role for many years. She has been a major contributor to sub committees of the National Executive, giving of her own time for years. Keeping the Otago/Southland region humming when the chairperson was based in Otago and hosting and organising Otagoites, no easy job, organising meetings, and always keeping us in the loop with what was happening at a National level. She has been a huge help to local librarians and her work promoting and reviewing books has been fantastic. Jenny is a SLANZA stalwart. She is tough, resilient and a rock to those in the school library world who need one. We heartily endorse her nomination and are most pleased and happy to reward her with this Life Membership.

Rosalba FinnertyThis is a person who has been one of the standing stones of SLANZA since it started. She has been involved in almost every area of librarianship over her career and not content with that has become an archivist on top. Rosalba has served her time on the National Executive, she has been involved in so many conferences and committees that it is not possible to count them. She has represented the National Executive at committees of many kinds over the years and still does this today when needed. She has retired from her position at Samuel Marsden Collegiate, and gone on to have an illustrious career in archives, both for that school and for SLANZA, her lounge playing host to a mountain of paper and digital records, she has been in this privileged position for the last two years and her dedication and thoroughness has sharpened all the NE up. Because of her we are better organised and future ready. Rosalba gives up her weekend on National Executive weekends to cater to the National executive, it is a mighty thing, she is our emergency minute taker and advisor on matters of many kinds. Her knowledge of the history of the organisation is regularly called upon. This barely covers it. She is an advisor, an ear to many, a fantastic stalwart of the Wellington committee and all round organiser of everyone and everything. It is an utter pleasure to award her Life Membership of SLANZA.

Janet McFaddenThe nomination for Janet McFadden was fulsome in its praise for her work for, with and alongside SLANZA for many years. Janet has been one of the biggest advocates for the benefit of school librarians belonging to SLANZA, she has been a committee member of the Wellington region for many years. Janet was the first convenor of the Wellington region, as early as 2002 she was helping organise Wellington conferences and has continued to do that regularly. No conference is complete without a presentation from Janet. Her dedication to school librarians across the country, and particularly in Wellington has been always appreciated. Janet has spent her professional life working to provide a wide range of resources and skills to school library staff. Her willingness to help and support others, well beyond the realm of her role at National Library and her continued commitment to the profession of school librarianship at all levels is testament her professionalism and leadership. Janet is a hard working endless promoter of school libraries, the people who work in them and SLANZA as an organisation of value and importance to those people and for this we are incredibly grateful and are delighted to award this Life Membership.

Gerri JudkinsThe name Gerri Judkins is one which is clearly associated with SLANZA and her dedication to SLANZA is legendary. Not only within her home district of the Waikato but amongst all those who have stood back and admired the energy, the enthusiasm and the sheer gutsy determination that kids will read, that school libraries are the places where kids get the stuff to read. Gerri is a reading and school library evangelist. Her work on the SLANZA National Executive has left lasting effects. Her understanding of the different circumstances in which school librarians work had a major influence on decisions made around the NE table. Gerri understood the world that most of us worked in, it was refreshing. Gerri is still giving presentations promoting SLANZA, the work that we do with reading in schools, promoting the Lit Quiz and being the powerhouse of energy she has always been. I think she is currently in Russia at IASL doing exactly that. Gerry is the little engine that could, could promote SLANZA endlessly, could attend meetings when others couldn't, could answer tricky questions and indeed could ask them, could use her endless supply of contacts to make stuff happen, could organise a mini-conference with almost no time and limited funding and could be the person who had read every book available so that she could promote it to her kids and sell it to a whole NE meeting. Gerri Judkins does SLANZA proud and therefore it is not a difficult decision to award her this Life Membership.

We offer our sincere congratulations to these awardees. We want them to know that SLANZA has appreciated their efforts and has received enormous benefit from their work for our organisation.

Awards Recipients 2013 SLANZA encourages and rewards excellence in school libraries, recognising the success and achievement of those working in and with school libraries, with a series of annual awards. These are the recipients of the 2013 awards:Award of merit for literacy and enjoyment of reading

Trina Yuretich, Teacher with Library Responsibilty, Ahipara School Nominated by Jeannie Skinner and Jennifer Puckey Trina has demonstrated excellence across several areas of school library development. She has transformed the library environment with vibrant displays, and developed the library as a hub for reading, enabling a reading culture to develop throughout the school. The summer reading programme she organised over the summer holidays has significantly reduced student summer learning loss. Trina takes advantage of all the professional development opportunities available to her, as well as organising such literary events as Storylines and Kids Lit Quiz for her students to attend during the year.Pam Garry, Library Manager, John McGlashen College Nominated by Carole Gardiner and Bridget Schaumann Pam is forward thinking and solution focussed in the education world. She is always trying new things and working to improve existing things. Pam runs a range of stimulating and exciting reading programmes throughout the school such as a peer reading programme; Go McGlashan Read, and Chockywockydoodah. She is an adjudicator for the speech competition, and organises the SHRIMP holiday reading packs to ensure minimal loss of student learning through summer school holidays. Pam is an excellent colleague who keep in close contact with all departments, especially English, and creates exciting visual displays for the library. Her contributions to the reading and learning of the students are wise, well-considered and always practical.Glenys Bichan, Librarian, Cambridge High School Nominated by Linda McCullough and Vicki Stephens Under Glenys’s guidance the use of the library has increased greatly. This is the result of well-run book promotions, the creation of a welcoming environment within the library and timely promotions of current events to capture student interest. She has embraced digital technology by developing a number of digital resources, and moved the school into the area of ebooks, providing students with access to these resources from home. Glenys is always responsive to the changing learning needs of her students.Kimberley Atkinson, Librarian, Robertson Road School, Mangere, Auckland References: Ravi Naidoo and John Nicholls Kimberley works in a decile one, full primary school with 500 students and a 90% Pasifika student roll. Some examples of the innovative programmes she has initiated are the creating of Māori and Pacific collections, introducing graphic novels, a parenting library, which matches well with the Home School programme run throughout the school community, series boxes for fiction and the presentation of all fiction in face-out position. Kimberley has had great success with her funding applications to several organisations and has used the money wisely to increase the number of reading resources in the library. Her school is now a part of the Authors in Schools programme with recent visits from Kyle Mewburn, Tracey Duncan and Paula Green. Kimberley has proven herself to be a passionate advocate for her school library, with the reading and literacy interest of her students always at the heart of her work.Award of merit for promotion

Tracy Westall, Librarian, Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland Nominated by Elizabeth Atkinson and Chris Arthur Tracy is acknowledged for the energy and passion she brings to her work, ensuring that her library is a vibrant and exciting place for readers to discover and enjoy a range of books and resources. Tracy has been extremely successful in promoting and encouraging use of the library, in ways that are centred on students, and foster a sense of ownership and belonging for them.Michelle Simms, Librarian, Te Totara Primary School, Hamilton Nominated by Jude Cosson and Linday McCullough Michelle is acknowledged for her innovative and proactive promotion of her library to members of her school community. Michelle’s sharing of new ideas and information reaches beyond her school into the wider school library and education communities; she is a role model for the ways technology can be used to enhance library services and develop community connections.Award of merit for Library Manager

Clare Giesbers, Library Manager, Northland College, Kaikohe Nominated by Jeannie Skinner and Jennifer Puckey Clare is acknowledged for her unflagging commitment and enthusiasm, despite difficult circumstances, to the development of her library as a relevant and engaging environment that is positive, welcoming and inclusive for all students and staff at her school.Award of merit for Information Literacy

Clare Forrest, Library Manager, Raroa Normal Intermediate, Wellington Nominated by Jason Ataera and Janet Hart Clare is acknowledged as a valuable member of her staff who has successfully developed and implemented an effective approach to improving students’ literacy, and has been able to share these approaches with the wider library/school community.Principal’s Awards

Sandy Hastings, Beckenham Primary School, Christchurch Nominated by Glenda Fortune and Paula Eskett Sandy is recognised for providing inspiration and actively demonstrates how highly valued the library and it’s services are in the school community.Patrick Drumm, Aorere College, Auckland Nominated by Anne Rolinson, supported by Bharathi Char and Kaaren Hirst Patrick is acknowledged for his sustained support of the library team and consistently promoting the importance of the library to the school and the wider community.Lee Whitelaw, Ohaeawai School, Kaikohe Nominated by Jeannie Skinner and Jennifer Puckey Lee is recognised for placing the library at the heart of literacy and learning at Ohaeawai School creating enthusiastic, fluent, engaged readers and writers. Lee sees the library as integral to achieving that goal.Philip McCreery, Cambridge High School, Cambridge Nominated by Glenys Bichan and Richard Carter Philip has supported the creation of the library as the hub of learning in the school allowing it to consistently demonstrate innovation; fostering high morale among staff and promoting community use of the library.Certificates of Appreciation Awarded to retiring regional chairs and National Executive representatives

As one of my last acts as President, it gave me great pleasure to be able to announce who had received Life Membership of SLANZA during last week's conference.

We were delighted at the calibre of the nominations for the people who received Life Membership as they exemplify all the qualities and attributes of best practice in literacy, advocacy, promotion, professional development and also a very evident willingness to be involved on a local and national level.The recipients are as listed:Pauline McCowanIn recognition of Pauline’s contribution to the formation of SLANZA, her long term role on the National Executive and SLANZAK and her promotion of SLANZA nationally. Her participation on conference committees and her constant support of school librarians and their value over the last 12 years.Pauline’s involvement with SLANZA dates from the very earliest meetings of the organisation. She was part of the Auckland School Library Association (ASLA) for many years and then contributed to the creation of SLANZA, was on the National Executive for several years and was a member of the IASL and Auckland conference committees. At the local level, Pauline was actively involved with SLANZAK until her retirement in 2011, organising professional development and events as well as presenting at SLANZA conferences nationally. Pauline also trained as a teacher-librarian and has shared her knowledge of information literacy programmes and love of literature with others through her work at National Library.John FowlerIn recognition of John’s long term role and contribution to the ASLA and SLANZAK committees over the past 34 years, his involvement in the provision of professional development in the Auckland region and his participation in the organisation of the IASL conference and the Auckland conferences.34 years - what an amazing contribution to school libraries John has made. He joined ASLA in 1979, quickly becoming the secretary and was the Chair for seven years. John helped to form SLANZAK, was part of the the IASL and both Auckland conference committees, and has contributed greatly to providing professional development opportunities in the Auckland area too. John has just stepped down from SLANZAK and has signalled his intention to retire from Kings’ College at the end of the year, where he has been a teacher-librarian for 20 years. His quiet manner and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed.Jeannie SkinnerIn recognition of the tireless effort Jeannie has put into the development of Te Tai Tokerau as a region, for her advocacy and passion for the promotion of literacy and reading, and the unstinting support Jeannie has provided to all involved in school libraries across Northland.Jeannie’s nomination was accompanied by several heartfelt testimonies, outlining the dedication Jeannie has shown to SLANZA and the invaluable support she provides to all people involved with school libraries across Te Tai Tokerau. Jeannie is known for her love of and advocacy for all forms of literature and has been instrumental in assisting schools to apply for grants to improve their libraries and collections. She is a moving force in ensuring Northland has author tours and the Storylines festival, to the envy of other areas. She has served on the committee for since it began and one of the testimonies said: Since Jeannie returned to Northland, she has always been on the SLANZA committee, and it will be a sad day when this is not so.Linda McCulloughIn recognition of Linda’s work on behalf of the SLANZA members of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region, her continuous service to the schools in the area and her dedication to fostering the development of people on the regional committee, and for her efforts to provide excellent PD and support to members in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty. Linda has worked tirelessly for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area and has put a huge amount of effort into growing the talents and abilities of those on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee, ensuring the stability and development of the committee. Linda has been involved with SLANZA since the steering committee meetings in 2000 and has been on the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee since the beginning. She has played a crucial part in ensuring many others are recognised for their achievements and her nominators have quite rightly pointed out that it is time Linda was recognised for all she has done for others.Adaire HannahIn recognition of Adaire’s advocacy for all involved in school libraries across New Zealand, her advocacy to people in very high places and to other organisations on behalf of SLANZA, her work in ensuring students have the information literacy skills necessary for success and her participation in SLANZA in Wellington and nationally over the past 12 years.Adaire’s dedication to SLANZA and her advocacy for all working in school libraries is legendary. She is renowned as someone who is forthright and direct and has used that to promote the cause of SLANZA and school libraries everywhere, as part of National Executive and as a SLANZA representative on committees such as TPSAC and the PPTA ICT taskforce. Adaire was part of the Wellington SLANZA committee since its inception and she also has been part of the very successful Wellington conferences too, both as a convenor of conference committees and as a presenter. Adaire’s work as a teacher-librarian was recognised nationally by SLANZA and LIANZA, for the whole school information literacy programme she created and has run in collaboration with other staff throughout Wellington High.

Glenda FortuneIn recognition of Glenda’s contribution to the formation of SLANZA, and her long term role on the Aoraki committee. Also for her support in so many ways of SLANZA and the work it does, but especially for the outstanding support she has provided to all in Christchurch during the last two years.Glenda was part of the original group who discussed the possibility of a national organisation for those interested in school libraries, and she has been part of the Aoraki committee since then. as well as organising professional development on a local level, she has has been on both the Christchurch conference committees, and has presented at conferences too. One of the most touching parts of Glenda’s nomination was reading about how Glenda has supported, helped and lead people who have been affected by the Canterbury earthquakes and they say: Glenda remains our quiet peaceful harbour giving us wisdom and support throughout.Congratulations to our new Life Members and thank you for the dedication you have shown to SLANZA.

It has been a very busy 2013 so far for the National Executive, so I thought I'd give you an update about some of the projects we've been involved in.Most of us have a really good break over the Christmas break, but for some people their focus was the creation of SLANZA's new reading website. Bridget Schaumann and Miriam Tuohy led a team who evaluated all the lists, identified double ups and inconsistencies and re-formatted everything. Miriam created the site and layout and then the team started the mammoth task of transferring all the lists to the new site. Sounds simple, but it was months of work for all involved. However, I am sure you will agree that it was well worth it!Miriam's other major project has been the development of the SLANZA online Connected Librarians professional development course. She was investigating the idea of Library Badges in recognition of skills learnt, and came up with the Connected Librarians concept. The National Executive wanted to provide online professional development, and thanks to Miriam's perseverance, there are some very lucky SLANZA members who are starting this exciting course soon. We were completely amazed at the amount of interest shown by you, and do intend to run it again, so all the waiting list have an opportunity to do the course.One of my roles as President is to represent SLANZA in a variety of forums, and one of those forums is the cross sector Strategic Advisory Forum (SAF). SAF meets three times a year, to talk with the National Librarian and each other regarding issues across the sector. As a result of a recent meeting, LIANZA convened a cross association day to identify how each of the library associations across New Zealand could work more closely, support each other and try to stop re-inventing the wheel. Miriam and I represented SLANZA, and it was very interesting to see the commonalities between associations. One of the issues we raised was the cost of PD provided by LIANZA. We also pushed for a reduced LIANZA conference rate for SLANZA members, and that is being considered by LIANZA Council.The Executive has been working on the SLANZA Constitution, as things have moved on since 2000 and it needed to be updated to reflect new ways of working and communicating. Greig Daniels has been leading this project, with an updated Constitution now lodged with the Companies Office. As a result, a number of amendments will be presented for ratification at the upcoming national AGM during the Wellington Conference.One group of very busy people is the Wellington Conference Committee, and I'd like to thank them for all the organisation and planning, as the conference is going to be great. Karen Clarke is the Wellington representative on the Executive, as well as being part of the Conference Committee, and is the conference liaison too. Karen has been doing a sterling job of keeping us up to date with what has been planned, and I am really looking forward to attending such an exciting conference!

Membership is a big part of SLANZA and we have a number of people involved with it. Carole Gardiner, our new Administration Officer, has been working through some very tangled membership renewals, and has done a brilliant job of sorting this out for us. If you have not received a renewal, please email Carole (admin@slanza.org.nz) as we may not have a correct or current email address for you. Life and Business memberships were instituted last year, and Lisa Salter has taken responsibility for these, with Greig taking on the SLANZA awards. If you know someone that you feel should be granted life membership, or receive an award, please do nominate them by June 20th. More information is available on the SLANZA website.Lisa has also taken on the Editor's role for Collected magazine, working with others on the Executive, and is currently pulling together all the articles written for the magazine, which will be published later this term. The upcoming edition will be all about reading, and having done some proof-reading, I know you are going to find itThe Executive is also very grateful to Rosalba Finnerty, the first member of the SLANZA Pool of Talent. Rosalba has taken over the SLANZA archives, and is sorting through several years of documents, so our history can be preserved.I hope this gives you an insight into some of the activities of your National Executive and the work we do for you.

Term three is just whizzing by in the North and spring in the air. I do hope the regions down South are starting to defrost!

I expect you have all had a chance to puruse our new website. Miraim Tuohy has provided us with an improved site which we hope members will find useful http://www.slanza.org.nz/index.html .

Collected magazine is just about ready! We look forward to sharing this edition with you very soon.

The SLANZA Awards and Life Membership process is under review. We would appreciate any comments, suggestions, complaints regarding the present process from anyone who has something to offer the review team. Please send your ideas to Lisa Salter lsalter@ruawaicollege.school.nz by the end of Term 3 and I will report on the changes in due course.

Region News-Te Tai Tokerau Term 3 events:Check out our blog to see the two interesting events in Northland this term:http://slanzanorthland.blogspot.co.nz/

Southland Term 3 coffee meeting Pam Garry (John McGlashan College) will talk about her recent visit to Suzette Boyd’s fabulous library at Scotch College in Melbourne Where: Salt Café, Esplanade, St Clair When: 4pm Wednesday 29 August Everyone Welcome ~ we’d love to see you there Please RSVP by Monday 27th August to Bridget at sc@kingshigh.school.nz or Carole at caroleg@queens.school.nz

Below is the report which Fiona Mackie gave at the AGM held in Wellington earlier this month. It is posted here so that all members can see it.

On behalf of the SLANZA National Executive, I'd like to welcome you to the 12th AGM for our organisation. I know your heads are full with all the ideas from today's seminar, so will keep this brief. As an organisation representing school libraries and all who are interested in them, we are dedicated to spreading the word about what you all do, and the difference it makes to all our students. One such opportunity was the recent Inquiry into 21st Century Learning Environments, which SLANZA made a submission to on your behalf. Michele Whiting and I were invited to speak to the Select Committee, to expand on our submission, which we did in June. Our three main points were: A well resourced library with qualified staff makes all the difference Librarians or teacher librarians know how to access, locate and use information in multiple formats, as well as being able to work with students and teachers to give them the skills to locate what they need and use it appropriately Short changing school libraries directly impacts on student learning and achievement and does not give them the skills necessary in our world of information overload On the School-Libs list-serv, there are often messages regarding hours being reduced, roles being combined or eliminated, and threats to the existence of school libraries. We all know how valuable and essential a well resourced and staffed library is, and the effect it can have on student learning and achievement, but as Dr Ross Todd has reminded us today, school librarianship can = occupational invisibility! The Executive had been wondering how we could start an Evidence Based Practice movement in New Zealand, so when we heard that Ross was coming to Australia, it seemed the perfect opportunity to kick start it for all. I think you'll agree with me that the seminars in Auckland and Wellington have given us a clear direction and a straight message - stop the blame game, free yourself from the habit of learned helplessness, and just do it! Although we made every effort to make the cost affordable by subsidizing all members who attended, we knew that only a fraction of you could attend. To support everyone, Ross has generously allowed us to host his slides on our website, as well as permitting us to record the presentation for members to download in the future. The Executive are also working on a PD session for regional committees to present to members in Term 4 or early next year. I mentioned that members would be able to download the presentation, and it gives me great delight to announce that SLANZA members will soon have access to a new website, with a password enabled section for members. We want to make it a one stop shop for all, so the wiki is going to be alongside the site. There will also be a space dedicated to sharing ideas and supporting each other as we start our Evidence Based Practice programmes and research. I'd like to thank the brilliant Miriam Tuohy for all the work she has done, investigating options, mapping out the new site, as well as creating a beautifully clear and inviting site. Thanks too to the team working with Miriam, for all their contributions to this process. I'd also like to pay tribute to a group of people who, under continually difficult circumstances, still provide their students and staff the best service possible - all the people working in school libraries in and around Christchurch. At the recent Otago PD weekend, I was fortunate to be able to spend time with some Christchurch members who travelled to Dunedin, and was moved to tears by their stories and the struggle many of them still face. Their dedication to their schools and students is inspiring. And now I come to something I haven't been looking forward to doing - farewelling two long serving Executive members who have been wonderful examples of inspiration and leadership for SLANZA. Donna has been on the Exec since 2009 , has been our Communications Leader for the past 3 years and is the powerhouse behind the superb online magazine Collected. Donna is stepping down from the Executive, but will be guiding the team who work on Collected. Donna, please accept this small token of our thanks for all you have done for us. APPLAUSE Senga has been part of the Executive since 2006 and was President from 2009-11, and has now come to the end of her time as Immediate Past President. Senga persuaded me to stand for President, and has been a role model for me coming onto the Executive. We're not losing Senga entirely as she is continuing to represent SLANZA on the EPIC Governance Group, as well as assisting with Collected. Senga, you have made a huge difference to SLANZA and I'd like you to accept this with our love and gratitude. I'd like to officially welcome Bridget Schaumann to the Executive as President-Elect and I know that she will bring a huge amount of prior experience, as well as energy and enthusiasm for SLANZA and it's members, as President from July 2013. Every year we award certificates of recognition to a range of people who deserve recognition for the efforts made to create readers, support student learning and achievement or the role of the library and library staff. The certificates will be awarded in person at special regional events. I am delighted to announce the following awards have been made: Please see the previous posts on this blog for these details, and congratulations to all the recipients. Life membership has been something that members have been requesting for some time, and it gives me great pleasure to announce our first recipients. We were really impressed with these nominations whom I am sure you will all agree are so deserving of being our first recipients. There will be very special presentations to each recipient held by the local committees, to celebrate and thank these people for all they have done for SLANZA. Our first life memberships have been awarded to Liz Probert, Jill Stotter, Dr Penny Moore, Judi Hancock, Elizabeth Jones, Margaret Forbes and Karen du Fresne who were the original steering committee directly responsible for the creation of SLANZA. Without these dedicated women, SLANZA would not have been born, the IASL conference would not have been held in Auckland in 2001 starting so many of us off on the path of effective school librarianship, none of our national conferences would have been held, and we would have remained a bunch of small associations that had nothing to do with each other, without a voice, without a presence. APPLAUSE And speaking of Conference, Conference 2011 was great (even if I do say so myself!) Conference 2013 planning is well underway and will be in Wellington, July 15-17 at Wellington Girls High, so put it into your diary and budget for it now! The theme is Winds of Change, which is all about sustainability - sustaining school libraries, energizing partnerships, generating enthusiasm and empowering learners. Thank you for joining us today. I appreciate you giving up your Saturday or even weekend to participate in professional development and our AGM. The Executive is committed to providing its members with a range of PD opportunities, and Ross's seminars are just the start. Your feedback via the recent PD survey will help us to organize PD in the future, but we always welcome your suggestions and ideas. Please continue to support your regional committee's events as they are always focussed on you! Go well, go safely and thank you for being here today.

To recognise those who have played such an important role in the creation and development of SLANZA as an organisation, the National Executive instituted Honorary Life Memberships and called for nominations from the members. The convenor of the Awards Committee, Lisa Salter, was impressed with the calibre of the nominees and the amount of thought that had gone into the applications.

The Executive is delighted to announce that Honorary Life Memberships have been awarded to the Steering Committee who worked tirelessly to create SLANZA:Karen du FresneMargaret Forbes Judi Hancock Elizabeth JonesDr Penny MooreElizabeth Probert Jill Stotter

As an organisation, we owe so much to the Steering Committee, who not only created a national organisation that we can be proud of, but who were also instrumental in bringing the IASL conference to New Zealand in 2000.Regional areas will be organising special events to present the awards to each recipient, and also to thank them for all they have done (and continue to do) for SLANZA and school library staff nation wide.

Last weekend was a busy one for National Executive (NE) in Wellington with Ross Todd presenting a workshop on Evidence Based Practice (EBP) followed by our AGM.

One hundred and twenty five library staff and supporters attended the Ross Todd workshops brought to you by SLANZA. The results of our PD survey indicated that the most important thing we could do for our members is to provide affordable and relevant professional development. The NE went out on a limb in our enthusiasm to bring an international expert to NZ and we were not disappointed.

The NE is working on a presentation to take out to our members. Further blog items directly related to Ross’s message will appear over the next few weeks as well as a round up of the evaluations from the workshop. You can get a glimpse by checking the Twitter stream from the workshops #EBPNZ, where there are valuable snippets from the two events.

A small but enthusiastic and engaged group attended this year’s AGM and were the first to hear this years SLANZA Award winners. Full details of the awards are available here.

The first Honorary Life Members were announced and Fiona Mackie will be filling you in on those in her President’s Report to follow. Senga White, immediate past president and Donna Watt, communications leader, were farewelled and thanked for their valuable contributions to SLANZA NE over the years. Bridget Schaumann was welcomed on board as President Elect. Bridget brings a wide range of school library and NE experience to enhance our organization.

There was lively discussion around surveys and how they can support our advocacy. On Sunday the NE got down to business:

We have increased funding for regional events in line with supporting our member professional development.

We will be launching a new and improved website in the next week.

Work is continuing on this term’s issue of Collected, which will be available early in the term. Next term the theme will be ‘Blue Sky Thinking’. We will be calling for contributions soon.

Work has begun on an Evidence Based Practice presentation (based on last week’s workshops). It will be rolled out by NE reps to all regional members soon, depending on PD plans already in place for your region.

There was a very positive response to Life Membership. Next week we will be asking for feedback regarding the process with the hope of streamlining for next year.

SLANZA Awards will also be reviewed.

SLANZA Study Award applications will be called for later this term. If you are thinking of studying next year, start getting your application together and check our website for details.

Lisa Salter is to take the roll of Communications Leader from Donna Watt.

Details about Conference 2013 in Wellington are beginning to emerge. Mark your calendars for July 15–17, the first week of Term 2 holidays. Expect to be exposed to the best school libraries have to offer with international guests.

SLANZA encourages and rewards excellence in school libraries, recognising the success and achievement of those working in and with school libraries, with a series of annual awards.

At the National Executive meeting in March it was decided that we should re-instate annual SLANZA Awards and present at every AGM rather than just at conference. This year's AGM is in Wellington on 21 July. Nominations are open now and close 21 June.

The Award's are listed below:

Award of merit for information literacy

Award of merit for literacy and enjoyment of reading

Award of merit for promotion

Award of merit for research

Award of merit for library assistant

Principal's award

Certificate of appreciation

Certificate of recognition

Please consider those around you who are worthy of recognition and either nominate them or encourage them to apply.